Annapolis, Md. (AP) - Gov. Robert Ehrlich has named an openly gay judge to serve on the Baltimore District Court.

Ehrlich appointed Christopher Panos, 47, a special master in the city Circuit Court family division, to a fill a court vacancy.

Panos and his partner of 17 years, Dennis Cashen, are raising a young daughter, Cate.

There are many things wrong with this story. Most people are against special entitlements for persons of sexual deviancy. Special masters in family court are notorious for all sorts of evil practices, and such a person is not likely to be a good judge. A Republican governor should not be that dependent on the gay vote.

George writes:

I think that the problem was that Smith referred to gaysas persons of sexual deviancy. Being gay is an innate orientation, not a sexual practice. Any reference to gay sexual practices as being outside the norm is therefore bigoted.

When the story said that Panos was "openly gay", I think that it was referring to his lifestyle, not how he was born.